PSC Course Descriptions

PSC1000 Introduction to American Government (3)
Introduces American government and institutions.

PSC1100 Introduction to Comparative Governments (3)
Surveys comparative governments and institutions.

PSC1999 Independent Study in Political Science (1-3)
Provides an opportunity for individual study or research under the direction of an instructor. See Undergraduate Policies and Procedures section on Independent Study.

PSC2100 Introduction to Comparative Governments (3)
Surveys comparative governments and institutions. The amount of work required for upper-division credit will differ in both quantity and quality from that required for lower-division credit.

PSC2110 International Relations (3)
Examines the history and values out of which nations have devised ways of relating to one another.

PSC2120 World Geography [CDiv] (3)
Introduces the cultural and physical geography with special emphasis upon the relationship between geography and social/political and economic developments.

PSC2130 Latin American Area Studies [CDiv] (3)
Reviews geography, history, and politics in light of colonialism and independence of the states of Latin America with emphasis on current international relations

PSC2140 African Area Studies [CDiv] (3)
Surveys African events in the light of precolonial, colonial, and modern developments.

PSC2150 Asian Area Studies [CDiv] (3)
Surveys the geography, history, culture, ethics, politics, and economics of the Asian countries with special emphasis on current geopolitical relations.

PSC2160 Middle East Area Studies [CDiv] (3)

Must be taken concurrently with PSC2161.
Studies the geography, history, politics, economics, and culture of the states of the Middle East with emphasis on Islam and its impact on the region; familiarizes the student with a key geopolitical region.

PSC2161 Model Arab League [CDiv] (1)
Corequisite: PSC2160 or permission of the instructor
Model Arab League (MAL), like its better known exemplar the Model UN, is an educational program aimed at educating students about the Arab world and the twenty two states that comprise the Arab League. MAL holds an annual event in a number of regions throughout the US. Students from each of the participating universities form a delegation representing one of the 22 Arab states in a three day assembly organized by MAL. In preparation for sending a delegation to this assembly, students study economic, political, social, and cultural aspects of the Arab country that they represent in that year's MAL event.

PSC2300 State and Local Government (3)
Introduces the functions and services of government on the state and local levels.

PSC2310 Parties, Politics, and Campaigning (3)
Surveys the history of the development of political parties in the United States and examines their current ideologies and functions.

PSC2320 The Constitution (3)
Surveys the history of the U.S. Constitution. Includes article by article analysis, study of outstanding Supreme Court cases related to the document, and research in constitution-making processes.

PSC2330 Gender and the Law [CDiv] (3)
Introduces the question of gender relations and the law, with particular emphasis on recent developments in law and on issues of sexual harassment. Particularly recommended for pre-law students.

PSC2340 Legal Reasoning and LSAT (3)
This course examines strategies for maximizing a student's chance of entry into law school. It includes exercises for developing logical and analytical reasoning, reading comprehension and writing. It is suited for students who plan to take the LSAT, and gain admission to a law school.

PSC2400 Methods and Methodology (3)
Introduces qualitative and quantitative methods used in history and political science and briefly discusses the epistemological foundations of these methods.

PSC2400L Statistical Software in Behavioral Science Research (1)
Prerequisite: MTH2502 or permission of instructor
Corequisite: Concurrent enrollment in PSC2400
Reviews basic statistical concepts and procedures, both descriptive and inferential, through a software approach with examples from behavioral and social sciences. Hands-on application of statistical software (e.g.SPSS) is integrated with the design analysis of various research paradigms. Students receive individualized assistance to develop and implement the statistical design, analysis, interpretation, and reporting suitable to their research projects.

PSC2410 Political Psychology (3)
Studies the psychological roots of political behavior and decision-making as well as theories relating to political activism and violence.

PSC2880 Capstone:  Versions of Utopia (3)
Intended to be taken close to a student's graduation, this is a summative course in which students learn to synthesize their learning over the course of the program by means of articulating their own visions for a better society.

PSC2886 Special Topics in Political Science (3)
Current issues and special courses may be offered periodically.

PSC2999 Independent Study in Political Science (1-3)
Provides an opportunity for individual study or research under the direction of an instructor. See Undergraduate Policies and Procedures section on Independent Study.